Automatic train-stopping device.



L. A. DOWNS.

AUTOMATIC TRAIN STOPPING DEVICE.

APILIGATION FILED 213.12, 191a 1,11%81G Patented Nov. 17, 1914.

.QEIIlIIIIII ra'rnur orric LESLIE A. DOWNS, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

AUTOMATIC TRAIN-STOPPING DEVICE.

Application filed February 12, 1913.

To aZ-Z whom it may con-corn lle it known that I, Lnsrin A. Downs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented new and useful improvements in .iutomatic Train- Stopping Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in automatically-acting d vices for stopping or reducing the speed of trains, and it proposes a device which may be actuated by the explosion oi the ordinary signal torpedo which is used to warn the engineer to stop or reduce the speed of the train.

The object of the invention is to provide a device for the purpose stated which *ill be reliably actuated by a torpedo of ordinary c .-nstruction, which may be readily placed under the control of the engineer, which is not liable to accidental or premature operation, and which is of simple structural nature, inconspicuous, and readily applicable to existing types of pony trucks.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanymg drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevation showing the de vice applied at the side of a pony truck; Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the same; Fig. 3 is a detail view illustrating more particularly a latch member employed to prevent a premature resetting of the device and to hold the device in normal position.

Similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The letter A designates one of the front wheels of the pony trucl, and the letter B designates a torpedo which is placed on the rail for engagement by the wheel A.

The device which forms the subject of the present invention may advantageously be used to control the setting of the air brakes and in such case, the train pipe has a branch C which extends adjacent the pony truck and carries a valve D, which, of course, is normally closed. The frame of the pony truck is provided with a suitable bracket 1, to which there is pivoted for movement in a plane transverse to the engine, a lever 2 The lever 2, at its lower end, carries a vane 3 which is preferably of dished formation, presenting its concave side toward the wheel A, and being of suitable shape and dimensions to efiiciently receive the pulsation Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 17, 1914.

Serial No. 748,024,.

which is developed by the explosion of the torpedo B. The vane 3 is preferably adjustably connected to the lever 2 in order that it may be set at a suitable elevation with relation to the adjoining rail, and for this purpose said vane has a slotted shank 4: which is connected by a bolt and nut fastening 5 or equivalent device to the lower portion of the lever 2. The lever 2 is also provided with a pin 6, which passes through the slot in the shank t and in connection with the fastening 5, serves to maintain the vane 3 rigid on said lever. The lever 2 projects some distance upwardly beyond the bracket 1 and its upper end is connected by a link 7 with an arm 8 on the stem of the valve D, the connection between said link and said arm comprising a pin 9. The lever 2 and the vane 3 occupy a normally perpendicular position, in which position the valve D is closed. When the torpedo B is exploded, consequent to its engagement by the wheel A, a laterally directed impulse or pulsation of relatively strong intensity is developed which, acting on the vane 3, throws said vane and the lower portion of the lever outwardly, thereby through the intermediary of the connections 7 and 8, opening the valve D, as a consequence of which the.

brakes are set.

Then the brakes are set in the manner explained, the train is automatically stopped in the event that the engineer, for any reason, is unable to answer the signal or 'arning given by the explosion of the torpedo B. It is preferred to provide means for positively keeping the valve D open until such time as said valve may be closed by the engineer. Itmay be explained at this point that the valve D may be connected by any suitable agency with an operating lever in the engine cab, whereby said valve may be controlled. by the engineer. As these connections are not regarded as of the essence of the invention, and may be of any suitable character, their illustration is not deemed necessary. The means for positively holding the valve D open may conveniently comprise a spring-held or weighted arm 10, which is pivotally connected to any suitable part of the truck frame and has, near its free end, a notch 11 to engage over the pin 9. The arm 10 may be connected by a wire or equivalent device 12 to a lever (not shown) or its equivalent in the cab, and by this means may be moved to disengage the pin 9. When the valve D has been opened in the manner explained, the pin 9 engages in the notch 11 of the arm 10, and said arm thus holds the valve D open and prevents the lever 52 from being reset. When the arm 10 is lifted by the wire 12 to disengage the pin 9, the lever 2 resumes its normal position by gravity, and, or" course, closes the valve D. The arm 10 may also be utilized to maintain the lever 2 against accidental movement from its normal position by the action of air currents, and for this purpose said arm may be provided with a cam like recess 13, which nor mally engages over the pin 9, the engagement being of such nature as to prevent an accidental movement of the lever 2, due to the cause stated, but not to interfere with the operative movement of the lever 2, when the torpedo B is exploded.

Inasmuch as the journal boxes of the wheels of the pony truck are located on the inside of, i. 6. between, the wheels, it is possible to arrange the lever 2 closely adjacent the wheels and the device, by reason of such arrangement, and by reason of its simple structural character, is at once positioned inconspicuously and in a way to elliciently receive the force developed by the explosion of the torpedo B. As stated, the vane 3 may be of suitableshape and dimensionsfor the purposes in view, but it is preferably of generally semi-disk shape, and its lower edge is preferably concentric to the periphery of the wheel A.

Having fully described my invention, I claim:

1. The combination with a locomotive having a. pony truck, of a lever pivotally mounted adjacent a front wheel of the pony truck for movement in a plane transverse to the locomotive and having at its lower end a pulsation-receiving vane disposed in a plane which extends lengthwise of the locomotive, a brake controlling valve, connections between said lever and said valve, and means engageable with an element of said connections for positively holding the valve in open position or for holding the lever against accidental movement from normal position.

2. The combination with a locomotive having a pony truck, of a lever pivotally mounted adjacent a front wheel of the pony truck for movement in a plane transverse to the locomotive and having at its lower end a pulsationreceiving vane disposed in a plane which extends lengthwise of the locomotive, a brake controlling valve, connections between said lever and said valve and including a movable pin and a pivoted arm normally resting on said pin and having a notch for engagement therewith to hold the lever against accidental movement.

3. The combination with a locomotive having a pony truck, of a lever pivotally mounted adj acent a front wheel of the pony truck for movement in a plane transverse to the locomotive and having at its lower end a pulsation-receiving vane disposed in a plane which extends lengthwise of the locomotive, a brake controlling valve, connections between said lever and said valve and including a movable pin, and a pivoted arm normally resting on said pin and having a notch for engagement therewith to hold said valve in open position, and also having a recess for engagement therewith to hold said lever against accidental movement from its normal position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LESLIE A. DOWNS. Witnesses:

CHAS. S. HYER, J OHN S. POWERS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. I 

